Mauricio Pochettino: 'Overall, I was very pleased with the whole team’s performance, and I am very satisfied'

Published: 18 September, 2015
By PAUL COWLING at White Hart Lane

Europa League: Group J
SPURS 3, FK QARABAG 1

TOTTENHAM fans have a new Son to love, after a two-minute double salvo from Korean Son Heung-Min saw the north Londoners come from behind to defeat FK Qarabag at White Hart Lane last night (Thursday).

A late third from Erik Lamela settled any nerves, and, with Monaco grabbing a late equaliser at Anderlecht, it means Spurs have taken early control of Group J.

After seeing Son shine, manager Mauricio Pochettino admitted he had big plans for his £22million summer signing.

“At Leverkusen, Son was playing out wide but at Spurs I see him as a striker,” he said. “He scored twice, and played for one hour, so it is easy to say he had a great game.”

Qarabag – known as the Horsemen – more than held their own against their seemingly superior opponents. Any ideas Spurs fans had of seeing their favourites win at a canter were quickly disproven after seven minutes when the Azeri champions opened the scoring from the penalty spot.

Kieran Trippier, making his first start for the club, clumsily gave away a penalty, which Richard Almeida calmly converted to send the small band of visiting supporters into delirium.

Son wiped out Qarabag's shock early lead with his first goals for the club: first poking in from close range from an Andros Townsend corner, and then, just two minutes later, he calmly stroked the ball home after the impressive Dele Alli weaved his way into the penalty area and picked out the right pass.

Former MK Dons youngster Alli had a chance to make it 3-1 on 34 minutes, but his effort was well-saved by Qarabag keeper Ibrahim Sehic.

With Spurs in the driving seat, Danny Rose misjudged a chested backpass to Hugo Lloris. The ball fell to Afran IsIsmayliov, but he blasted over the bar when it looked easier to score. Minutes later Reynaldo headed over as the visitors threatened to find a way back into the match.

On 67 minutes, Harry Kane replaced goal hero Son, who received a rapturous reception from the home fans. And it was Kane who fed Lamela for the decisive third goal five minutes from time to make it 3-1.

As well as singling out Son, Pochettino saved some of his praise for Alli. “Dele has shown he is a first-team player,” he said. “But he is only 18, and we have to be careful to nurture him the right way.

“Overall, I was very pleased with the whole team’s performance, and I am very satisfied.

SPURS: Lloris, Trippier, Wimmer, Alderweireld, Rose, Dier (Winks, 74), Carroll, Alli, Lamela, Townsend (N'Jie, 67), Son Heung-Min (Kane, 67).
Substitutes not used: Vorm, Fazio, Onomah, Davies.
Attendance: 26,463.